just. do. it.

ok, so you might not like what it is telling you, because it is more than likely the truth for most of us (including myself), but if you keep reminding yourself about his message (“his” as in “johnny b. truant”), more power to you. seriously.

by no means is this meant to be an easy fix, and by no means is it a band-aid, it’s just a blog that i appreciate because it really does tell the truth, and i do need to be reminded of it or else i end up overwhelmed, or underwhelmed, or stuck in a rut, when really there is so much more to this life, and, reading this blog also pushes me, it reminds me that if i work on what i really truly want to work on (even a little tiny bit each day or each week or each month), i CAN and WILL improve the quality of life for me and my family. i CAN make the living i want to make, i WILL create the dream life. i can create more free time to spend with family and friends. i can earn a living while working less hours. i can do whatever the eff i want to do. but only i can do it. and motivation is half the battle.

and, to keep me honest, i am happy to report that i have been working on a new children’s book. i’ve written the book and have started working on the illustrations, AND, i’m also working on the illustrations for another writers’ book. i get overwhelmed thinking about all the different projects i want to do but haven’t, then i get underwhelmed when i haven’t taken advantage of my free time to get anything concrete put together. but oh when i start working on something, even a teensie wheensie smidge, i start to get all giddy like a schoolgirl. now if i can just keep my own interest long enough, i’ll be bustin’ out multiple projects left and right, and you won’t be able to stop me, when i get in that mode, i don’t eat and i hardly sleep. which is ridiculous and i obviously need to work on that. but you get the idea. i need to get to that place for my sake and for my life’s sake. if i can continue working from home after both kids are in school while actually earning an income i can truly be proud of, well, that’s my long-term goal for sure. if i can earn enough to have the hubby home more often, well, more power to us. but i gotta start now.

i have other goals i’ve been working on, like my health and whatnot, and i’ll tell you right now, that’s been a pain in the pahtootie. teaching an old dog new tricks is not just a saying. but now that many of those glitches have become more a part of my natural rhythm, it frees up some time and energy for new projects, like my artwork and books. it’s amazing how much more functional you are when you overcome an obstacle. no matter how big, no matter how small, they all sit like an anvil on your shoulder and keep you rooted in place. some of us get tired of the weight, and others choose to go down without a fight. well, i got tired of the weight. there are others who have chosen to go down with it, and THEY were a part of the weight that was pulling me down, but they don’t respect themselves enough to try to resolve their situation, and claim that they are destined to ride this crazy train until it crashes to bits in a fire-y inferno. so i could either continue to get pulled into their universe or take the next spaceship outta town.

it hasn’t been easy, but it isn’t supposed to be easy (it ain’t “staples” for gods’ sakes). so either you put up and shut up (if you choose to do this, you’re not allowed to complain, to be a martyr, nor are you allowed to claim that you have no choice–because YOU ALWAYS HAVE A CHOICE, in fact, there are always multiple alternatives in every situation–AND you also have to take full responsibility for your situation and fully admit you are the source of your own stupid misery), or you start demanding the life you want, and you take charge. no more excuses. there is no reason why you can’t have peace of mind, there is no reason why you have to deal with bullcrap from your boss, your spouse, your dog, or yourself for that matter. everyone deserves to be here and to be truly happy.

surround yourself with people who support you. keep the others at arms length and don’t get pulled into their universe. you have your life, and they have theirs.